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Chandigarh: Residents across major districts in Punjab are set to face prolonged power outages of up to 8–10 hours daily over the next four to five days, even as temperatures climb towards 40°C, intensifying discomfort during peak summer conditions.
The outages, announced by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, will continue till April 26 and affect key urban centres including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Bathinda and Patiala.
Why the outages are happening
According to PSPCL, the scheduled cuts are part of ongoing infrastructure strengthening and modernisation work in the electricity distribution network.
Officials said the staggered shutdowns are necessary to:
- Upgrade transmission and distribution systems
- Improve reliability ahead of peak summer demand
- Prevent large-scale breakdowns during high-load periods
Heatwave worsens the impact
The timing of the outages has raised concerns as the India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions across Punjab over the next three days.
With temperatures expected to hover around 40°C, the combination of:
- Long daytime power cuts
- Rising humidity and heat
- Increased dependence on cooling appliances
is likely to significantly affect households, businesses, and vulnerable populations.
City-wise outage schedule
April 22
- Mohali: 10 am–6 pm
- Ludhiana: 10 am–5 pm
- Amritsar: 10 am–4 pm
- Patiala: 1 pm–5 pm
- Bathinda: 9 am–2 pm
April 23
- Mohali: 9:30 am–5:30 pm
- Ludhiana: 10 am–2 pm
- Amritsar: 10 am–3 pm
- Patiala: 10 am–6 pm
- Bathinda: 10 am–3 pm
April 24
- Mohali: 9:30 am–5:30 pm
- Ludhiana: 10 am–2 pm
- Amritsar: 10 am–3 pm
- Patiala: 10 am–6 pm
- Bathinda: Industrial areas including Dabwali Road, Mehta Road, Gehri Paghi Road, Jodhpur village
April 25
- Mohali (G-Block): 10 am–2 pm
- Ludhiana: 10 am–2 pm
- Patiala: 9 am–2 pm
Residents brace for difficult days
While PSPCL has said efforts will be made to minimise disruption, the extended daytime outages are expected to:
- Disrupt daily routines and work schedules
- Increase reliance on inverters and generators
- Put pressure on small businesses and industrial units
Balancing upgrades with public inconvenience
The development highlights a recurring challenge, modernising power infrastructure while managing immediate public inconvenience, especially during extreme weather. With summer demand expected to peak in the coming weeks, the success of these upgrades will be crucial in preventing larger grid failures, even as residents endure short-term hardship.
